WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Classified by primary deity or deities, four major Hinduism modern currents are Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva), Shaktism (Shakti) and Smartism (five deities treated as same).

Detailed explanation-2: -The four main sects of Hinduism are Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu form the Trimurti, the holy trinity (three forms) of Hinduism.

Detailed explanation-3: -It has four schools of numerous denominations (sampradaya): the medieval-era Vishishtadvaita school of Ramanuja, the Dvaita school of Madhvacharya, the Dvaitadvaita school of Nimbarkacharya, and the Shuddhadvaita of Vallabhacharya.

Detailed explanation-4: -Major scholars of competing Hindu traditions from the second half of the 1st millennium CE, such as Adi Shankara of Advaita Vedanta and Ramanuja of Vaishnavism, mention several Shaiva sects, particularly the four groups: Pashupata, Lakulisha, tantric Shaiva and Kapalika.